Six days, six barbel.

[barbelblanker]

Went down to Hampton Loade left bank (BAA water ) as I've decided to stop jumping from one part of the river to the next and concentrate on just one area.

As this part of the river is called "barbel alley" it seems like a good idea.

Last Sunday I had four fish and this time decided to concentrate on one rod and go purely for barbel.

The wind was up and there was a dowstream wind. Not that his really affects things as I was using a medium sized home made wire frame feeder fished about half way across the river past the weed beds.

Main line is the ever dependable Diawa Sensor (8LB), rod was a Diawa PMS Specialist Avon that I have had since living in Bath (the place not the appliance, though I do like a soak too) and is my second favourite rod and the best one I've paid good money for. Reel Okuma . Hook length was some 6LB line anglers mail gave away a few weeks ago. Hook Kamasan B910 (I think) , size 14. Rig was hook, swivel, leger stop, bead, snap swivel. On this occasion no back lead.

Bait was SBS Barbel hookers smothered with dynamite baits halibut paste. Feed was Dynamite halibut groundbait with some brown crumb and various micro and small pellets.


Started about 19:30 hoping for two hours but it was not to be as it was very cloudy and the light failed earlier than expected.

Had a few knocks but I think these may have benn line bites . I used a back lead (large bullet lead) last time so I might return to that tactic next time.

As it was I had my first fish (about three pounds) at about 21:00. It fought like a little sod but I mananged to get it in the net, unhooked, photoed and back in to recover quite quick.

Second fish came about 21:10 and was a different fight. This was not a head shaker at all just kept deep and pulled. Got frisky near the net but got her in with quite some fight still in her so unhooking was fun. Quick snap and she was back in.

I decided to travel light and left my scales at home . Doh! The second fish was definately a PB but I have no idea how big she was, I'm guessing low at 6 pound.

Six barbel in six days, the forum name is looking shaky and the Severn appears to be fishing better this year.

And if that is not lining my cocky large Welsh backside up for a "you aint catching nothing for weeks now sunshine" spanking I don't know what is :)

[Greenheart]

Nice one BB. Not fished Hampton Lode for many years. Do the steam trains still chug along the far bank?

[headless]

good report mate, some good advise on rigs and some nice Barbel,

Darrell

[barbelblanker]

Thanks chaps. The steam trains do indeed keep running and I think this adds to the magic of this stretch.

One thing I did fail to mention is to do with the back lead. At first I used leger stops but then it occured (quickly thank goodness) that if I was to suffer a snap off it could potentially leave a dangerous rig in the water.

So my back lead rig goes hook, swivel, leger stop, bead , main lead or feeder, float stop (one of those soft ones that come on a loop , then the back lead. The thing about the float stop is it will slide under a little pressure so the bomb or feeder can then come loose.

No one likes leaving hooks or line in fish but at least this way they are not going to be dragging that weight behind them and get tethered.

It's also smaller that the loop of the snap swivel so that would probably just ride over it too so double safe.

I'd hate to see such a marvellous creature die because I was stupid.

[Fishing Forum Admin]

well dome mate

[BoldBear]

Great report and nice Barbel.
You'll definately have to change your name now.